On Losing the Coach's Post, Ashraful Says: 'No Injustice Was Done'

Dhaka. After being removed from the post of batting coach by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), Mohammad Ashraful has made it clear that no injustice was done to him. The former Bangladesh batter said the decision falls within the board's jurisdiction and he respects it. His statement pre-empted a potential controversy that usually arises after such decisions. The BCB recently removed Ashraful from the batting coach role and handed interim responsibility to Salahuddin. The board did not publicly state any performance-based rationale for the decision, which could have raised doubts over whether the move was part of a planned restructuring or a sudden call. However, in his statement, Ashraful said that if the board needs, it can employ him in a different role. He also noted that he would be informed if any assignment arises over the next three months. This statement suggests he remains attached to the board and his contract has not been fully terminated. Defending his tenure, Ashraful cited Test cricket statistics. According to him, under his leadership the team recorded five wins and one draw in eight Test matches, while batters scored a total of nine centuries and twenty-two to twenty-three fifties. He also claimed that the team's batters averaged around fifty-two or forty-five. He presented these figures as the success of his tenure. He said the current Test team is the most settled and experienced in Bangladesh's history. However, these figures have not been independently corroborated. All the statistics were self-reported by Ashraful, and neither the BCB nor any other cricket data source has confirmed them. Cricket analysts believe that a record of five wins in eight Tests is far above Bangladesh's traditional performance, but to understand it one must know which teams these matches were played against and under what conditions. Bangladesh's Test team has been strong at home on slow, spin-friendly pitches, while its performance abroad against pace bowling has been weak. Therefore, without home-away and opponent-strength splits, this record cannot be treated as proof of coaching success. Similarly, the claim of nine centuries and twenty-two to twenty-three fifties in eight Tests is unusually high. This implies nearly two or more fifty-plus scores in every innings. This could be due to very flat pitches, weak bowling attacks, or selective framing of data. Analysts have tagged it as 'data pending verification.' Moreover, Ashraful did not clarify which period, series or batters the batting averages he mentioned pertain to. An average of fifty-two or forty-five across an entire batting order is considered abnormally high. Cricket experts believe that Test wins are primarily decided by bowling and conditions, not by a batting coach's contribution. Therefore, a record of five wins in eight Tests cannot be credited to the batting coach unless batting-specific metrics such as average per wicket and frequency of collapses are analysed separately. Notably, Ashraful took charge as batting coach with the Ireland series in November 2026. Ireland is considered a lower-tier Test side, so part of the record may have come against weak opposition. In March 2026, Bangladesh also performed well in a Test series against Zimbabwe, which was cited as a benefit of the coaching. But the overall picture remains unclear. The BCB made this change at a time when Bangladesh's Test middle order is undergoing constant transition. Ashraful says this team is the most experienced, but experts see it as a warning for the future. This group of senior players could retire together, creating a major transition crisis in batting. The board did not specify why Ashraful was removed. A BCB official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the decision was part of the contract cycle and future plans. Giving Salahuddin interim responsibility suggests the board may look for a foreign or full-time specialist coach. Ashraful's statement was unusually restrained in this matter. Usually on such occasions coaches do not hold back from speaking their mind, but Ashraful not only accepted the board's authority but also said he is ready to work for the board if needed in the future. This stance suggests he wants to maintain his relationship with the board. Bangladesh cricket has a history of frequent coaching changes. Over the past few years, several head coaches and assistant coaches have been replaced. This affects team performance, as constant changes make it difficult for players to adopt a stable work culture. Ashraful's removal is seen as part of this trend. However, no disciplinary action has been taken against Ashraful and no allegations have been levelled against him. The board took the decision after reviewing his work. Ashraful also did not create any controversy, so the matter is likely to settle down soon. Ashraful's stance is being appreciated in the cricket world. Former cricketers believe such examples are rare in sport, where a coach remains loyal to the institution despite being removed from the post. For now, the focus of the Bangladesh cricket team is on upcoming international commitments. There has been no official announcement from the board regarding a new batting coach appointment, but sources say a decision may be taken soon.